Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nosocomial pneumonia patients treated with ceftaroline: retrospective case series of 10 patients

Abstract

Background:

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common nosocomial pneumonia (NP) pathogen in US ICUs. Ceftaroline fosamil is a novel cephalosporin with activity against MRSA.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed patients (pts) who received ceftaroline therapy for MRSA NP.

Results:

A total of 10 pts received ceftaroline from September 2011 to September 2012 for MRSA NP. Nine pts received prior anti-MRSA therapy before initiation of ceftaroline. Ceftaroline duration of therapy ranged from 4 to 28 days. Three pts pursued palliative care prior to completion of therapy and expired off antibiotics. Of the remaining seven pts, six pts were considered to have clinical cure or improvement either at the end of therapy with ceftaroline or total antibiotic treatment. One pt had a relapse 1 week after ceftaroline treatment.

Conclusions:

This case series suggests the potential of ceftaroline as an alternative agent for the treatment of MRSA NP and warrants further investigation.

Keywords:

• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
• Hospital-acquired infection
• Anti-bacterial agents
• Ceftaroline
• Infectious disease
• Intensive care infection
• Pneumonia